DC One Million #1

I have the huge omnibus with every tie in including the Booster Gold One Million ! There's a lot to get through.

Old SPOILERS AHEAD


I don't consider myself a massive Morrison fan. He's written things I've enjoyed and things I didn't. Buying this had nothing to due with who's writing. This has time travel and tons of one shots about future incarnations of heroes which I love. I've only read two of these issues previously, Booster Gold and Chronos. I know the year 85,271 (the 853rd century) came about when Morrison figured out when their issues would reach one million thus the name.

Zauriel and Plastic Man return to the monitor room to discover a message from J'onn in the midst of a destructive scene informing them about the loss of life. Days earlier the JLA welcome their 853rd century counterparts to help them welcome back the Prime Superman (not Superboy Prime) who is actually our Kal-El/Clark Kent. Most of the JLA decide to go leaving a few behind. I gave this premise some thought since it's not the standard modern set up for an event.

We know something will go wrong yet it starts because their invited to the celebration? Morrison is known for his love for older stories and it does feel like a Silver Age concept. It might seem a little silly by modern sensibilities but I actually like the set up feeling more innocent. I like how Wonder Woman thinks it'll be fun and admits to thinking they should hold their own Olympics for superheroes.

Golden Age heroes like Ted Knight feel satisfied to see their legacies live on and proof that they fought for a good cause. Nightwing thinks Arsenal is overreaching what he's capable of and sharing a call with Oracle. Huntress expresses concern about not knowing her place or comprehending people from the far future are there. Which I can totally buy given her faith in God and her complex nature.

I can't see Batman giving her such unwarranted sarcasm by stating the birds and the bees as why she's there. Nor bringing up her parents when he should know what happened. It seems especially callous coming from him. Helena wants to know why she's there and he bluntly tells her that she's filling in Green Arrows' spot.

She wants him to be honest with her since she knows he could have given Nightwing the spot. Why did he bring in someone he hates? Batman doesn't answer her but says this is the way their world is. He's actually more positive about the time travellers than she is. The future Batman knocks out Bruce stating he has to go then takes his spirit. I think?

Kyle wonders if he screwed up if their isn't a GL in the future. The 853rd century Starman doesn't know as whatever happened would have happened far before his time. It might be related to Legion time where their banned from Earth. The dynamics between Kyle, Starman and Wally is entertaining.

Superman learns about the dynasty he creates but isn't so thrilled to learn his line has super-esp and can hypnotize people. They got it when a member of their family married the queen of the fifth dimension. That's both terrifying and hilarious. Good timing for me since I recently read Emperor Joker. Arsenal is working on getting Red Rocket suits out of the wrong hands. Garth thinks their out of their skill range when Savage shows up and says they need the JLA. What is with everyone doubting Roy? Savage does win, taunting Roy that he's not suited for making plans as he's too concerned about proving himself.

The Justice Legion A take the present day heroes, including Batman, into the future. J'onn confronts Hourman causing a virus to be released? Future Savage has Solaris working with him and plots to kill Superman in front of his friends from the past.




Overall: I like this so far and I'm really looking forward to seeing how it all plays out. Besides a few spoilers I already heard about (Starman, Savage being involved) I don't know a great deal about the plot. A few character moments feel off with Batman and the "he's over his head" vibe everyone has with Roy. Though this was written at a different period of DC history so somethings might be different. I did feel the impact of Savages' words to Roy as it still feels like Roy has to prove himself.

Some of the future heroes don't speak but I feel like their be expanded on in the one shots if not the main story. There's a lot of potential and I'm actually excited about the possibilities. A good start for the series that doesn't over explain things and still leaves some mysteries.



Say What?: Why are some characters muttering under their breath about things that don't need to be whispered?

Future Batman says the Gotham he heard about was a paradise before it disappeared from records? Where did it go or what did the name change to? Curious.

Wally responds to Kyle saying Uranus stops being funny by asking Kyle to say it. Uh, he just did Wally.



Did You Know?: Zaurel was created by Morrison after he was told he couldn't use Hawkman.

According to R.E.B.E.L.S. Brainiac 3 created Solaris. This was written years later a little before Flashpoint happened.

Roy Harper is actually related to Savage in this canon.